The Leadership Identity Crisis – Who Are You When You're Not Proving Yourself?

In this deeply personal solo episode of Leading You, Julie unpacks a quiet but powerful crisis many high performers face: the moment they realise they’ve become a stranger to themselves. This isn’t just about burnout. It’s about identity. About tying our worth to achievement, KPIs, and how much we can juggle without falling apart. Julie shares her own story of hitting that wall—and the uncomfortable but life-changing reflection that followed. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Who am I when I’m not delivering, achieving, or proving?”—this episode is for you. Whether you’re in a season of change, navigating self-doubt, or simply feeling disconnected from your leadership voice, this is a powerful invitation to pause, reflect, and reset. In this episode, we cover: The subconscious patterns that keep high achievers in proving mode Why leadership burnout is more about disconnection than capacity What happens when you outgrow your identity—but keep wearing the same jacket The real cost of shrinking to fit outdated versions of yourself The power of pressing pause and asking: Who am I now? Practical prompts to help you reconnect with your true leadership identity Why clarity creates courage—and how to find yours   Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction and episode context 01:00 – The dangerous link between achievement and identity 02:15 – Why high performers get stuck in the “doing equals value” loop 03:45 – The moment I realised I didn’t know myself outside of my work 05:00 – How proving becomes a silent addiction for many leaders 06:30 – The concept of “oversized jackets” and outdated self-images 08:15 – When we outgrow roles but stay because of fear or guilt 09:30 – The emotional and energetic cost of shrinking to fit 10:45 – What happens when we finally press pause and reflect 11:30 – The questions I asked to reconnect with my leadership self 12:15 – How clarity gives you the courage to choose differently 13:00 – Shifting from performance to presence in leadership 14:00 – A call to stop apologising for outgrowing where you are 15:00 – Wrap-up, reflection prompt, and next steps   Links: Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program Connect with Julie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/ Instagram: @juliehydeleads Website: https://juliehyde.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.